Project XOSKEL [D-Frame Mini Build]
- Thread starter Alec**
- Start date
My skills just cease to amaze me
No but seriously, it was probably one of the mods I was most afraid of, but I think it's come out OK!Cheers Conm8!
Hahaaa, the first cut's always the most nerve racking! Thanks
So been away for the weekend, and now back on with the build! In the process of painting the metalwork as we speak, and hope to paint the mobo this week too. Will post a few pics when done!
Soldato
It looks so clean and tidy. Loving that GPU waterblock as I haven't seen one that cools the back as well
It looks so clean and tidy. Loving that GPU waterblock as I haven't seen one that cools the back as well
Cheers! Yeah the heatspreader is a nice touch (aesthetically at least!)... check the last pic of the next update though.. sort of detracts from the GPU block
About time for an update! Painting took a little longer than expected, tip: if you're going for a matte look, don't use clear lacquer, then decide it's not good enough and have to sand it all right back again.
So first up, I'd mentioned previously I was going to attempt to paint the motherboard, here's the prep:
And the result:
Pretty happy with the way it's turned out! Heatsinks look pretty cool I think, especially with the silver labels put back on. The turquoise really stands out on the black. Can see also the plate behind the 'D-Frame Mini' PSU cage has been given a paint job.
The PCI bracket has also received a coat of paint.
Used enamel lacquer in the end to maintain a matte finish, the clear lacquer left a more 'varnish' effect.
Here's that mid plate fitted in which the res will be mounted. Definitely tidies up the old HDD holes.
The rad bracket also looking pretty stealthy.
Still very happy with the way this bracket came out, really tidies up that PSU cage.
That front rad bracket also fitting in quite nicely now.
Finally got around to mounting the easy release HDD cage on the back of the mobo. Another upcoming job is to rip out the HDD of my current rig to get the top sanded back and painted black.
So that's pretty much it for now. Got the first cable braided tonight, will try and grab a pic in the next day or two. Hoping to get the PSU braided by this time next week (yawn) so I can actually start thinking about the watercooling!
Talking of which, took a look at the GPU block tonight to see an earwig's made a home of it!
So first up, I'd mentioned previously I was going to attempt to paint the motherboard, here's the prep:
And the result:
Pretty happy with the way it's turned out! Heatsinks look pretty cool I think, especially with the silver labels put back on. The turquoise really stands out on the black. Can see also the plate behind the 'D-Frame Mini' PSU cage has been given a paint job.
The PCI bracket has also received a coat of paint.
Used enamel lacquer in the end to maintain a matte finish, the clear lacquer left a more 'varnish' effect.
Here's that mid plate fitted in which the res will be mounted. Definitely tidies up the old HDD holes.
The rad bracket also looking pretty stealthy.
Still very happy with the way this bracket came out, really tidies up that PSU cage.
That front rad bracket also fitting in quite nicely now.
Finally got around to mounting the easy release HDD cage on the back of the mobo. Another upcoming job is to rip out the HDD of my current rig to get the top sanded back and painted black.
So that's pretty much it for now. Got the first cable braided tonight, will try and grab a pic in the next day or two. Hoping to get the PSU braided by this time next week (yawn) so I can actually start thinking about the watercooling!
Talking of which, took a look at the GPU block tonight to see an earwig's made a home of it!
Associate
Very nice job on the motherboard there sir!
Thanks Mike, let's hope the coolant mix will match!
Cheers! Thought it might be appropriate to do a before and after of the motherboard painting. The sockets / ports painting on the motherboard itself was an absolute pain but it's come out ok, the board has now been tested and can confirm it's fully working! The heatsinks were comparatively easy, I can see myself doing that part at least again.
Before:
After:
So most of the last week has been spent braiding the PSU, I've literally just finished the ATX but here's a quick peek at the GPU & P8. All cables have been shortened, recrimped, then braided using paracord.
Finally, what should be one of the last deliveries, the final watercooling components (minus a handful of right angled fittings I expect)... The Heatkiller IV's stealthy and sleek appearance meant it topped the EK alternative, with a full acetal top. Really happy with the look and feel of this block, looking forward to getting it in the case! Also gone for an Aquacomputer Aqualis 150ml res with DDC pump top. I always knew a pump res combo was a must for this build due to size, and this seemed to be the perfect solution.
Also had a little Mayhems delivery. My logic is blue + green = turquoise, we'll see if this works out in the coming days...
So in other news, I've chopped off the mounting brackets on the DDC, then decided the entire pump enclosure needs sanding back and painting. This is in progress and hope to post pics in a couple of days when fully mounted. There's little bits of braiding to do which shouldn't take long, and I'm hoping to paint the HDD too. Other than this, it's on to the hardline! I've got a general idea on tubing route, but it's not easy.
This project will be finished within 2 weeks tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for a few little updates soon!
Associate
Great! After doing the motherboard heatsinks on mine, I can honestly say I am massively impressed at yours. How did you ever get the inside of the connectors done?!
Thanks OracIe!
Cheers! Yeah took a fair bit of sanding back and lacquering on those heatsinks to get the finish I wanted. As for the connectors, I folded (down the long edge) some strips of masking tape and put them in the PCIe / RAM slots, they were folded enough to cover the pins while not covering the 'outer-inside' of the connectors. Seemed to do the trick!
Great job on the motherboard alec, can't believe you got to all the red inside the slots
Looks awesome, can't wait to see more of this build.
Thanks guys, much appreciated!
Hahaa, it made me think more of a rally car's roll cage! Thanks
Time for another update! So I finally got the res / pump combo mounted on the new res-plate, which has now been mounted on the mobo tray. I decided the plastic mounts for the DDC pump had to get the chop, which then meant the pump case needed a sand back and respray. Really happy with how that came out, very clean.
I've also finished the braiding now, always one of the most painstaking mods but can just about convince myself it's worth the time and effort!
I think the colour match is also pretty good with the spray painted components, let's hope the coolant will come out as good!
Final point for tonight, got some Barrow fittings delivered today, mostly right angles. Not 100% fixed on this layout but need to start working with the tube to see what's going to be possible.
Looks like I'm on track to have it leak testing next weekend, just a little bit of wiring to do and on with the bending
Associate
Looking great again!